Listening and Interiority in Philosophical Dialogue

Western Philosophy has mostly focused its interest in a detailed analysis of the spoken word, relegating to a lesser importance the receptive disposition and listening in dialogue. Some philosophy schools and authors, as well as the eastern wisdom traditions, understand that listening is an inner state indispensable for true dialogue to happen as a genuine encounter between people. The quality and depth that we reach in a philosophical dialogue will be conditioned by how and from what inner disposition we listen to each other. Education in silence has been considered from the ancient times, as a philosophical practice relevant for listening growth, and an essential learning prior to speech.